Category Archives: Uncategorized

After another Saturday when I failed to take advantage of any Mohawk Valley events (I meant to go hear the Symphony Syracuse at Ft. Stanwix in Rome, but the best laid plans…), I was left without a post to write. I got myself to run by saying, “I’ll blog about my run!” It was a good run. I petted three dogs. But I asked myself, how many running commentaries can I get away with? That led me to do something I have been meaning to do since I passed the landmark of 50 posts: I went through all my posts and tried to make a tally of what all I have blogged about.

Twenty-eight blogs have been about local businesses, twenty-one about community events or attractions, six about walks, five about runs, and eight defy categorization. Well, maybe somebody could make up a category for them, I don’t care to. Remember, there are two kinds of people in the world: the kind that put things in categories and the kind that don’t.

I was encouraged to see that the majority of posts has been about local businesses or community things, although a little sorry that business posts outnumber community posts. In my defense, businesses are open every day while community events may be inconveniently scheduled. I did not go back and actually read the posts, so I did not come up with any statistics of lame posts vs scintillating posts. I like to think they all have some merit, and in any case, most are short.

Speaking of lame but short posts, I think I’ve said all I can about the State of My Blog. I strive for improvement and thank my readers for spending a little time with me in the Mohawk Valley.

Sometimes it takes you a long time to patronize a business that is practically at the end of your street. Friday Steven and I had dinner at Vinny’s Pizzeria and Restaurant, 501 West State St., Herkimer.

I had seriously intended to cook dinner, but you know how that goes some days. As long as we were going out, we thought we’d pick a place I had not blogged about. You see how writing this blog expands my horizons.

When we saw how crowded the parking lot was, we knew we had either made a great decision or, if we couldn’t get a table, an unfortunate one. Luckily there were plenty of tables. Even as we sat there, though, the place was filling up. They obviously do a booming take out business, but you can climb up three stairs to a graciously furnished dining area. I sat facing down the stairs so I could watch the activity in the take out area.

As usual at pizza places, the menu offers many choices besides pizza. Steven selected a Fish Sandwich with Fries, and I ordered a Small Antipasto with Homemade Italian Dressing. I also got a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon, which came in its own little bottle. I like that, because you know the wine is fresh. Perhaps there is an oenophile out there who will tell me it is the low class way to serve wine. I’m sure I don’t know, and I’ve noted that this is not a wine blog anyways.

The food was very good, and the service was friendly. The waitress asked if we wanted dessert, suggesting either the Cheesecake Balls or the Chocolate Lava. These were the choices that had tempted us when we perused the dessert list earlier, but we refrained. I think we will return some afternoon in the near future and order just dessert.

Vinny’s had previously been located on Caroline Street, in the building that collapsed under the snow a few years ago. Before that they were at a location on North Main Street which has housed a number of eateries over the years. You can read about Vinny’s history from newspaper articles framed on the wall. We glanced at the headlines and will probably read in detail on a future trip. Perhaps sometime when we take advantage of take out. We took home a menu.

Vinny’s is open Tuesday to Thursday 11 am to 10 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am to 11 pm, closed Sunday and Monday. I should perhaps note now that I’ve thoroughly whetted your appetite for Vinny’s that they are closing July 31 and will remain closed through Aug. 15. But be sure to check them out when they re-open August 16. I know I will.

Today I am giving a shout out to a local business that Steven is actually going to while I am at work, The Velvet Dog, 217 South Main St., Herkimer, NY.

We were introduced to The Velvet Dog when we adopted our schnoodle, Tabby. Lynn Brown, one of the groomers there, was fostering Tabby and looking for a permanent home for her. Lynn’s son, Jason, worked with Steven at the time. When Jason mentioned the dog, Steven’s other co-worker, Evelyn, immediately said, “Steve needs a dog.”

To make a long story short, we met the dog, loved the dog and decided to take the dog. We picked her up at The Velvet Dog one fine Saturday in November 2007.

We bring Tabby to The Velvet Dog to be groomed about every six weeks. If we go longer she gets quite shaggy. In the summer especially she is more comfortable with a short ‘do.

Today Steven will drop her off by ten to be picked up later in the day. She is always so excited when we pick her up. She looks pretty and smells nice. Sometimes they put bows on her ears, which stay there for an hour or two if we’re lucky. Sometimes they tie a little scarf around her neck, which lasts longer.

Theresa, the owner of the business, tells us that Tabby enjoys her time there. After her grooming, she voluntarily goes into a crate and lies there, in her cute way with her front paws crossed, watching what’s going on.

The Velvet Dog takes care of all kinds of dogs, from great big hounds to little purse size pooches. It’s always fun to go in there, and rarely quiet. The staff is very professional and truly loves dogs.

For more information about The Velvet Dog call 315-866-7667 (that’s 866-POOP, I don’t know if they did that on purpose). Or you can find them on Facebook.

I’ve blogged about fundraisers before. I think they show people at their best: helping others and having a good time. I was pleased, therefore, when I saw fliers for two different fundraisers happening in the near future.

I got on the phone right away to offer afghans for the Chinese Auction (another one of my favorite things). My first call was to the organizers of a fundraiser for Nancy Piper. Nancy is a single mother of a five year old boy and is fighting cancer, apparently not for the first time. The event is to take place Saturday, July 30, so I knew I had to hurry.

“That would be great,” said the lady I talked to. “We’re meeting at the Union Hall right now. Can you bring it down?”

I had to admit I did not know where the Union Hall was, and when she told me it was across from Kinney Drugs, I could not seem to remember where that was. In fact, the only landmark that came to mind was Ilion Wine and Spirits, and I just didn’t feel I could say, “Is it near the liquor store?” to someone I didn’t know. We finally referenced it to Remington Arms. I drove by it once but went around the block and arrived without further mishap.

The people there pronounced the afghan beautiful. I wished them luck with their event, which I will sadly miss due to work commitments.

When I got home I called the organizers of a fundraiser for Dustin Maine, a four year old boy suffering from neurofibromatosis, which I confess I had never heard of. He has had one surgery on his brain for a tumor and currently has other tumors on his brain, neck and spine. Poor little guy! I made plans to meet Carlene in the Stewart’s parking lot across from Remington Arms after work. Not right after work, I warned her, because traffic out of Remington Arms at 3:30 is quite extensive. She was familiar with the phenomenon.

I actually got out of the parking lot with little problem and was at Stewart’s before four. I went in and bought a Sobe vitamin water, because I felt since I was utilizing their parking lot as a meeting place I should give them a little business. Carlene came right along, loved the afghan and thanked me profusely.

Both fundraisers are to take place at the VFW on the Ilion-Frankfort Road. The one for Nancy Piper is Saturday, July 30 from 1 to 5 pm. The one for Dustin Maine is Sunday, August 28. I thought I would blog about both these in order to give a little advance publicity to my local readers. As I said I can’t make it to Nancy Piper’s, but I hope to be at Dustin’s. Charity and fun in the Mohawk Valley.

I love the hours of my new job, but it is not so easy to find time to run. It’s too hot for me at four in the afternoon. My alternative is to get up a four in the morning, which I did Wednesday.

Running in the dark brings back my Army Basic Training. Only then we ran in groups, somebody else set the pace and it was altogether less pleasant. Still, the army is where I learned to run and where I came to love to run.

It would seem that 4:21 of a Wednesday morning would be a safe enough time to run as I do, on the sidewalks under street lights. Most evildoers would have gone to bed and probably sleep in, I tell myself. Still, I have a vivid imagination. When I heard a car motor behind me, I felt sure it was slowing down. It very well may have been, but the jeep drove sedately by me without incident. I ran on.

I always look for lights on in houses. I fell less alone when I see signs of life. One upstairs light was on and the front door wide open. This was a house I had walked by with Tabby the day before. In the front lawn I had observed a bucket and a single pink winter boot. I wondered about it. By the upstairs light I could see a large room completely empty, possibly freshly painted (yes, I run slow enough to observe all that). I surmised that some renters had moved out, thus explaining the garbage on the lawn. I pondered that as I ran on.

A few other lights were on. No movement in the houses, no cars. I started to feel a little lonely. I ran through Meyers Park. Closed from dark to dawn, the sign said. Oops. I decided I was through traffic, which was probably all right.

As I ran down Park Avenue I saw a pedestrian walking towards me. A young man wearing a hooded sweatshirt with the hood up. Was it that cool at a walking pace? Perhaps he was walking home from a night shift. Or doing the walk of shame from a one night stand. That would explain the hidden face. I did not greet him as I ran by. For all I knew, with his face hid behind a hood he was the Grim Reaper. I think I mentioned I have a vivid imagination.

As I turned up Marion Street I saw a pedestrian carrying a white bag. Head uncovered, didn’t look threatening. She turned up a driveway. When I got a little closer I saw it was a paper carrier.

“I wish my newspaper delivery person was this early,” I said to her.

“I’d love to pick up that route,” she answered, apparently knowing just what I was talking about.

I only ran for twenty minutes, to make sure I had enough time to drink coffee and hang out before work. It was a good run. I was ready to face another Mohawk Valley Day.

Subtitle: I eat a lot.

I realized that a week or so ago Steven and I had patronized a well established business in Herkimer, and I had not blogged about it. To repair that omission, I submit the following about Brian’s Roast Beef Deli, 122 N. Main St.

I have actually never had roast beef at Brian’s Roast Beef Deli. We often get a sub to go, sometimes with Italian Wedding Soup. Yum! (Actually, looking at the menu I see they call it Italian Style Chicken Noodle.) Last week we decided to sit down and be served. That is really one of the delights of my life: to sit down and have somebody bring me food and know that they are also going to wash the dishes. OK, sometimes Steven does that for me. This way I don’t owe him one.

Steven ordered a Bacon Cheeseburger Deluxe with Fries. I ordered an Antipasto Salad. the waitress asked if I wanted garlic bread.

“Sure.”

I was expecting a nice little basket with two or three tasty slices. I got a loaf with garlic-y butter soaked into it and cheese melted on top. Oh, was it ever good. I am quite the connoisseur of garlic bread. My favorite is a Garlic Bubble Loaf I make with an unbaked loaf they sell in the freezer section. You chop it into pieces, dip the pieces in melted garlic butter, let it rise and bake it. This garlic bread was almost as good.

The salad was huge and filled with yummy things. Tomatoes, cucumbers, black olives, salami, cheese, hot peppers. I had plenty left over for another meal. Steven finished his burger and fries and pronounced himself stuffed.

We have been to Brian’s many times, for lunch or dinner, eat in or take out. We will probably go again soon. I might blog about it.

For more information about Brian’s call 866-3664.

One more post about our weekend out of town, then it is back to the Mohawk Valley. One place we always try to go when we visit Steven’s family is the Burger Den Restaurant, Rt 22, Cambridge, NY. We went there for lunch on Saturday with two of his sisters and one niece.

They have renovated the place since we were there last. They now offer outdoor seating. It was too hot on Saturday to take advantage of that, but perhaps if we return in the fall. I do enjoy to dine al fresco. The air conditioning inside was very welcome.

As we sat waiting for our food, one of the doors to the porch opened then closed. It is not so disconcerting for a door to blow open, but when it stays open for only a few seconds then closes, it looks as if something unseen has entered or exited.

“There’s a ghost!” I said.

Apparently this happens frequently, and it happened a few more times while we were there. I don’t think any ghost hunters or psychics have checked it out. But it added a little adventure to our meal.

I ordered Eggplant French Fries. I often get Sweet Potato Fries when they are available, but the Burger Den is the only place I have ever seen Eggplant Fries on the menu. I got ranch dressing to dip them in, and filled out my meal with a 12″ Hot Dog. Steven got a Chicken Salad Sandwich and Small Macaroni Salad. His sandwich was nicely thick, and the small salad was generous.

The Burger Den serves breakfast all day, but no one at our table took advantage of that. I surreptitiously peeked at what other tables were ordering, getting ideas for next time.

This was the only meal out we enjoyed last weekend. The next time I venture out of the Mohawk Valley I hope to entertain you with other culinary adventures.

For more information on the Burger Den Restaurant, visit their website, http://burgerden.com/index.html. Or you can find them on Facebook.

OK, this post has nothing to do with the Mohawk Valley. What I say? Even a dedicated Mohawk Valley Girl has to go out of town once in a while.

We were in Arlington, Vermont Saturday, a lovely town surrounded by the famous green mountains. I believe they even serve that Green Mountain Coffee in a number of locations. Yum.

We went to the Library Book Sale, which is always happening on weekends in the Arlington Community House on Main Street. Years ago it was a huge sale under a tent during the summer. Now it is in a couple of fairly small rooms crammed with books. I love a good used book sale.

We were there close to closing time, but I rather quickly found four biographies, a few pulp fiction paperbacks and a small gift book about Princess Diana. My mom loves Princess Diana. I am currently reading a dual biography of Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots. I showed Steven my choices.

“See, this was Queen Elizabeth’s mother and this was her brother and this was her stepmother and this guy lived about fifty years later but it looked good.”

Steven was inclined to not buy me the one about the guy that lived fifty years later, but he relented. He is a nice husband.

From there we went to the Village Peddler and Chocolatorium, 261 Old Mill Rd. I saw some people eating an interesting looking treat and asked them what it was.

“Frozen bananas with dark or light chocolate rolled in nuts or sprinkles,” one lady said.

“You MUST have one,” another advised most strongly.

We followed her advice. I also purchased a few post cards and Steven found a shot glass for his collection. We watched a short film on the history and health benefits of chocolate. Very educational.

I told the lady working there that we had made sure to stop in after liking them on Facebook. We had been urged to do this by an Arlington Facebook friend. It was not our first visit to the Chocolatorium, but we had never seen the film nor eaten the frozen bananas.

While in Vermont we also enjoyed the scenery. I went running twice on Ice Pond Road and Warm Brook Road (they run into each other). Tabby enjoyed chasing some squirrels. We even saw a fox.

Arlington is about three hours from Herkimer, depending on traffic and how often you stop to pee and buy coffee. If you go I highly recommend the book sale, the Village Peddler and Chocolatorium, and the scenery. As I mentioned, you can find the Chocolatorium on Facebook.

Friday I had no time to do anything Mohawk Valley-ish, because Steven and I had to drive to Vermont. Still, we drove by some Mohawk Valley sights as we went.

We headed east on Route 5 going towards Little Falls. We passed Donna’s Diner. We haven’t been there to eat in a while. That might be a good future post. Our vet, or rather Tabby’s vet, is right next door, Mohawk Valley Veterinarian. Nice people there. There was St. Peter’s Orthodox Church, a real Middle Eastern looking building. We went to a sale there once.

On to Little Falls. It is much easier to go through Little Falls than it is to find something in Little Falls. Still, it is worth the effort. I particularly want to do a post on Canal Place sometime. Oh, and there is a lovely Garlic Festival in September.

On we drove. I never remember how far out Beardley Castle is till we pass it. Another place I’d like to check out.

I was not sure exactly when we left the Mohawk Valley. We passed some business with Capital District in its title, but we were nowhere near Albany. And there were numerous businesses with Adirondack in the name. I thought the Adirondacks were in quite a different direction. I guess I need to look at a map of the state.

We went through Saratoga. That took a while, with bumper to bumper traffic, but it was rather exciting to see all the people walking around enjoying the scene. I looked at the businsesses I’d like to check out, especially the bistros with outdoor tables. I also had the opportunity to indulge in a little nonsense.

“Ah yes, I remember my friend Sara when she was little Sara Bedsheet. That was before she married Jimmy ‘The Greek’ Toga.”

We drove on. We had our usual argument over how to pronounce Broadalbin. I tried to say Kayaderrossa — or is it Kayaderosera — River before we drove past it. I was unsuccessful.

We reached vermont without mishap. I think I mentined recently my ability to say a lot without having a lot to say. Well, for one year I plan to post every day. I do my best. Thank you for participating.

I’ve noted that this is not a real wine blog. I feel free to categorize wines as “yummy” rather than “a piquant vintage with hints of blackberry and plum and a smooth oaky finish.” That said, please enjoy the following about a wine tasting at Ilion Wine and Spirits which I attended with my friend Diane Engell on Thursday.

I’d been to numerous tastings at Ilion Wine and Spirits, but this was Diane’s first. I felt a little proud of myself for bringing a friend. Usually the store does its tastings on a Friday. This one, however, was in conjunction with Ilion Days and on Thursday so as not to compete with Friday’s Doodah Parade (I love that title).

The tasting was run by Scott, one of the owners. I’ve seen Scott at different tastings, and once at a fundraiser for the County Historical Society. He made a generous donation to Ilion Little Theatre for a gift basket we were raffling in conjunction with a show. A very community-minded business.

“Are you going to tell us all about these wines?” Diane asked, after I handed her the list of wines being sampled. He did not intend any such thing.

“Bronson at Vintage spirits does that,” I told her.

“Oh, Bronson.” Turns out Scott knows Bronson. They grew up together. I told Scott I considered Bronson a cousin, since his grandfather was a Quackenbush (we are in fact no relation). Having hashed out that subject, we got on with the tasting.

I started with a Ministry Edict Russian River Chardonnay 2009 from California. Scott did not know if it was aged in oak or stainless steel. This is one of my few bits of wine wisdom: I like stainless steel aged Chardonnay. The oak aged, to me, tastes buttery. This must have been steel, because I liked it.

I went on to the reds after this, because Scott said the remaining whites were all sweet. Diane continued on the whites for that same reason. I often end up drinking wine with the sweet girls.

I tried a Barbera 2007 from Italy and a Yalumba Shiraz Viognier 2008 from South Australia. Both were pretty good. I tried a few other reds; all were good, none reached my highest praise of “yummy.”

A number of people were at the tasting by now. We were all chatting and comparing notes. One lady borrowed my pen to mark wines she like or didn’t. It was cooler in the main store, where the munchies were laid out, so we made a few trips to the food table. Ilion Wine and Spirits is known for the elegant munchies they serve at their tastings. Unfortunately, Thursday was too hot for them to offer their fanciest. I enjoyed some cheese and crackers and chips and dip, though.

Diane purchased a bottle of Adesso Cagnina Di Romagna 2010 (Italy), the one red I did not taste because it was sweet. I found a bottle of Vinho Verde and one of Pinot Grigio that had not been in the tasting, but are two white wines I like very much (although Vinho Verde literally means green whine. Go figure). Diane was very pleased that I had introduced her to the tastings at Ilion Wine and Spirits. She plans to watch for them in the future. Of course I will too. Another fun time to be had in the Mohawk Valley.

Ilion Wine and Spirits is located at 10 E. Main St., Ilion, NY. Phone number is 315-894-8142.